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The ratio between the iShares Emerging Market ETF ($EEM) and the SPDRs S&P 500 ($SPY) has produced some interesting setups this year. While $EEM hasn’t been the strongest performer YTD, by applying some methods of technical analysis we are able to get an idea of where strength may or may not show up.

From the peak in relative performance against $SPY last October, Emerging Markets underperformed for the next five and half months. During that time we saw the Relative Strength Index stuck in a bearish range, which supported the down trend in the ratio between $EEM and $SPY. While a positive divergence in RSI began to develop in January, the momentum indicator was unable to break above overhead resistance until late March. The break in momentum resistance also coincided with the break in trend line resistance for the price ratio. $EEM was able to then outpace the S&P 500 for the following month.

Starting in April we can see in the chart below that the ratio between emerging and domestic markets began making lower highs and higher lows. This creates a symmetrical triangle pattern. Oftentimes we see the resolution of this type of pattern to favor the previous trend. But what’s interesting about this particular triangle pattern is that it was formed after a ‘trend’ (if you want to call it that) that lasted just one month. is that really enough time to obtain the overall bias?

I’ll be watching to see which direction this period of consolidation breaks and whether Emerging Markets or Domestic markets are able to win out in the end.

Disclaimer: Do not construe anything written in this post or this blog in its entirety as a recommendation, research, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. Everything in this post is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. I or my affiliates may hold positions in securities mentioned in the blog. Please see my Disclosure page for full disclaimer. Connect with Andrew on Google+, Twitter, and StockTwits.

Welcome back, I hope everyone had a great weekend. I started my BBQ competition season this past weekend in Mt. Carmel, IL. There were some of the best teams in the country present and we had a lot of fun and finished up 19th out of 50 teams. We closed out last week with four sectors now under their 50-day Moving Averages lead by the selling on Friday. Crude ended the week lower after testing the resistance I mentioned in my Technical Market Outlook post two weeks ago and is now testing the rising trend line off the 2014 lows.Emerging markets ($EEM) have continued to under perform

Equity Trend

While this portion of the Technical Market Update has previously been fairly uneventful we are starting to see the development of a potential trend change. With Friday’s sell-off we may have begun to see the start of a lower low. The selling also happened at the March high which may signal that the pop to a fresh new all-time high in April was more out of exhaustion than resound bullishness. As always, we allow the price to lead the way and would still need to see a break of the April low, as well as the rising trend line that developed during 2013, before the bears takeover the trend. Equity Breadth

We still have a bullish setup in breadth with the Advance-Decline just coming off a fresh high. The percentage of stocks above their 200-day MA is also in a short-term rising up trend, which is currently close to be testing. Equity Momentum

As I have been saying for the last couple of weeks, momentum is one of the uglier charts for equities. While two weeks ago we saw the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hold support as stocks began to rise, a negative divergence is still taking place. The RSI has been making lower lows for the last four months. The same type of divergence is beginning to develop on the weekly chart as well. While the S&P 500 ($SPX) got back to its March high the MACD is barely positive. As we enter the historically bearish 6-months of the year it may be hard for the equity market to buck bearish momentum AND bearish seasonality. Coffee

As I noted last week in my brief Technical Market Outlook, I’m keeping a close eye on commodities. I came into this year one of the few bulls for the agriculture space but as all things – once they go up they must come back down. One of the best ag commodities this year has been coffee, up 87%. Since it’s one of the leaders I’m watching it for early signs of deterioration in its trend. Last week we saw coffee ($KC_F) prices break above their March high but to only give those gains partially back on Friday as it fell back under the previous high. This took place with the Relative Strength Index creating a negative divergence of lower highs. Although, price is still in it’s up trend off the previous April lows. If we see a break of $2.00 and the RSI breaks under 50 then we may begin to start seeking lower prices. If we look at the 5-year seasonal trend for coffee we can see that historically a peak has been put in at the start of May. The same type of pattern also occurs on the 10-year and 15-year look back periods as well. 60-Minute S&P 500

The one hour chart of the S&P 500 ($SPX) does a nice job showing the resistance created by the previous March high. The RSI and MACD both have rolled over and bears will be attempting to set their sights on the April low around 1815 as the next target. If we do not see continued selling then bulls need to get to 1900 to keep things in their control. Sentiment

I always find it interesting to see what the retail investor is doing. While most of the attention seems to get focused on the polls by AAII, Investor Intelligence, and NAAIM, they don’t actually show you what investors are doing. However, the data provided by Rydex funds does. Below is a chart of the total assets held in the bullish funds by Rydex divided by all Rydex assets combined. While the S&P was unable to make a new high, the percentage of assets held in bullish funds did. Retail investors still like stocks and are continuing to push money into the market. Last Week’s Sector Performance

Utilities ($XLU) continued to lead on a relative-performance basis as the strongest sector. With health care ($XLV) and energy ($XLE) also seeing strength. Technology ($XLK) and materials ($XLB) were the weakest performers during trading last week. Year-to-Date Sector Performance

With the increase in performance from energy ($XLE) and the continued dominance of utilities ($XLU) I’ve begun seeing people reference the sector rotation chart created by John Murphy over at Stockcharts.com. Murphy shows that historically the strongest sectors at market highs have been materials, energy, staples, and health care, with utilities not far behind. And as you can see, a large chunk of those sectors are what’s been leading in 2014. Utilities continue to lead YTD with energy pushing past health care for the number two spot. Major Events This Week

We have a fairly busy week this week as it pertains to economic reports. The main focus will likely be on Wednesday with the GDP data and the FOMC Announcement. Now that Yellen has told us she doesn’t think unemployment is as important as it was to her predecessor, traders are able to breathe a little easier (hopefully) on Friday.

Disclaimer: Do not construe anything written in this post or this blog in its entirety as a recommendation, research, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. Everything in this post is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. I or my affiliates may hold positions in securities mentioned in the blog. Please see my Disclosure page for full disclaimer. Connect with Andrew on Google+, Twitter, and StockTwits.

Last Friday I tweeted out this chart that shows the ratio between the iShares Emerging Market ETF ($EEM) and the S&P 500 ($SPY). I noticed that the ratio was approaching previous support as shown by the red arrows and the blue line. This was an important juncture for emerging market bulls, they needed to break this level to keep the music playing.

Well it seems the bears bulled the plug as the ratio between emerging markets and the S&P 500 produced a false break as it made an attempt to keep from turning previous support into resistance. At the same time we saw the relationship’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) work off ‘overbought’ status which is a sign of heavy buying as traders pushed up the relative performance of $EEM against $SPY. Going forward I’ll be watching to see if we get another rest of this resistance or of we see emerging market once again under perform U.S. equities and we get a re-test of the March low.

Disclaimer: Do not construe anything written in this post or this blog in its entirety as a recommendation, research, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. Everything in this post is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. I or my affiliates may hold positions in securities mentioned in the blog. Please see my Disclosure page for full disclaimer. Connect with Andrew on Google+, Twitter, and StockTwits.